Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-23
A THRILLING BATTLE.
In which Band of Kentucky Outlaws
Was Almost Exterminated

LOUISVILLE, June 22d.-In Kentuckv's
shame, the lawless county of Rowan was
this morning enacted that which will
beyond doubt prove the final chapter in
the oioodlest mountain vendetta known to
the history of the State. The elimination
was reached in the tragic end Of four des-
perate men, who forfeited their lives while
resisting the mandates of the law. After
the de,trucunc of thousands of dollars
worth of property, and up to this writing
the loss OF twenty-one lives, during the
two years continuance of the tend, Rowan
county can now return TO peace and pros.
perity. A special to the G0Tiea-Joirnal
from Lexington, KY, gives the followiug
ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT:
Ihe news from Rowan county is of the
most exciting kind. as it appears to be AN
indisputable fact that Craig Tolliyer is
killed and his gang dismembered forever.
Sheriff Hogg, presumably acting under in
structions from the State authorities, has
been for about week quietly organizing a
very large posse of determined men in the
upper part OF Rowan county and adjoining
counties, for the purpose of arresting Toll
liver and all the parties implicated in the
murder of the Logan boys two weeks ago.
foll1ver and his party consisting of about
ten men, were quite vigilant and went
heavily armed to meet every eastward
bound train at the depot to search for
suspicious characters, and to see that no
one got off at Morehead but those whom
they desired. Sheriff Hogg equipped his
large party with Winchester rifles, and
ammunition was secretly conveyed to the
rendezvous while he was organizing the
posse.
THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
1t was finally determined TO attempt the
Nt ha
22d, In the day time, so as to prevent any
women, children or inoffensive citizens
from being killed by accident. Accord
iDgIy, at an early hour this morning people
living on the line of the railroad within
two or three miles of Morehead, on each
side OF the town, were notified to stop all
trains and inform the conductors what was
going on in Morehead, so that passengers
and trains would not be placed in danger.
The Sheriff7s band of resolute men, num-
bering more than two hundred, appeared
suddenly at Morehead about o'clock this
morning.
THE TOWN SURROUNDED.
A Gordon was first established around
the entire town in the brush, where the
men could not be SEEN The Sheriff then
entered the town at the head of about 100
well-arnied men. Craig Tolliver and his
ten followers Immediately retreated to the
hotel, which they had previously barri-
caded in such manner as to make quite
formidable fortress. Sheriff Hogg then
notified rolliver that he had warrants for
the arrest of all b men implicated in the
killing of the Logan boys, and asked if
they would all submit peacefully to arrest
under the law.
THE BATTLE OPENS.
Toillyer's reply was that neither lie nor
his men would be arrested, and that hun
dred men could not take them. His party
then opened fire upon the Sheriff7s posse.
Quite brisk rattle OF musketry ensued
and the fighting was kept up probably for
two hours. The only casualty for time
was flesh wound, received by one of the
Sheriffs posse. The attacking party, how
ever, were gradually drawing their lines
closer around Tolliver's fertification, and
the besieged party, finding things growing
too warm, finally concluded to make
BOLD RUSH FOR LIBERTY.
Fight their way through the Sheriff's lines
and take TO the adjacent brush, which.
once reached, would afford them secure
escape. But as they made the rush they
were met by a tremendous volley, which
killed Craig Tolliver, Bud Tolliver. Jay
Tolliver and Hiram Cooper The others
OF the gang got through safely. but as they
approached the brush they were met by a
volley from the outside Gordon. This vol
ley wounded Cate Tolliver, a I2-vear-old
boy, and three Others, all of whom were
captured, except Cate Tolliyer. The other
three also escaped. but one was recaptured
afterward. This brought the battle to an
pnd